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Using 被 ("bei4") sentences

被 bèi

Grammar
HSK 3

Structure

Subj. + 被 (+ Doer) + Verb + 了

Definition

被字句是汉语中表示被动意义的一种句式。结构为：受事主语 + 被 + 施事者 + 动词 + 其他成分。

Bei-sentence is a sentence pattern in Chinese that expresses passive voice. The structure is: patient subject + 被 + agent + verb + other elements.

Usage

被字句用于强调动作的承受者，或者当施事者不明或不需要明确说出时。使用时，将动作的承受者放在句首，后面用‘被’引出施事者（可以省略），再接动词。

Bei-sentence is used to emphasize the receiver of the action, or when the doer is unknown or not important. To use it, place the receiver of the action at the beginning of the sentence, then use 被 to introduce the doer (which can be omitted), followed by the verb.

Examples

  • 1 我的手机被小偷偷走了。 (My phone was stolen by a thief.)
  • 2 窗户被风吹开了。 (The window was blown open by the wind.)
  • 3 他被公司开除了。 (He was fired by the company.)
  • 4 蛋糕被孩子们吃完了。 (The cake was eaten up by the children.)
  • 5 这个问题已经被解决了。 (This problem has been solved already.)
  • 6 他被选为班长。 (He was elected class monitor.)

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